Note 115 — C. COLONIAL AMERICA, 1660-1760 (continued 2)
Reading edition
In Franklin's comments upon the sections of this plan (Works, Smyth edition, III, 208 ff.), he adds to this section: " ... it being proposed by the gentlemen of the Council of New York ... to alter the plan in this particular, and to give the governors and council of the several provinces a share in the choice of the grand council [or at least a veto upon the selections], it was said,....
"That it is essential to English liberty, that the subject should not be taxed but by his own consent, or the consent of his elected representatives.
"That taxes to be laid and levied by this proposed constitution will be proposed and agreed to by the representatives of the people, if the plan in this particular be preserved.
"But if the proposed alteration should take place, it seemed as if matters may be so managed as that the crown shall finally have the appointment, not only of the president-general, but of a majority of the grand Council....
"And so the people in all the colonies would in effect be taxed by their governors.
[Some three pages more of like argument.]
"Upon the whole the commissioners were of opinion that the choice was most properly placed in the representatives of the people."